John Steinbeck Quotes

Writers tell more truths, and more lies, than most.

A writer of fiction is really... a congenital liar who invents from his own knowledge or that of other men.

It's no sin to tell a good story.

What is the difference between the novelist and the liar? At some moments, I have often wondered.

Fiction comes in all shapes and sizes. Secrets,lies,stories. We all tell them. Sometimes,because we hope to entertain. Sometimes,because we need to distract. And sometimes, because we have to.

Truth is a well-known pathological liar. It invariably turns out to be Fiction wearing a fancy frock. Self-proclaimed Fiction, on the other hand, is entirely honest. You can tell this, because it comes right out and says, "I'm a Liar," right there on the dust jacket.

I certainly don't believe you documentary filmmakers. Like me, you are involved in making fiction, and your fiction is just as well organized and just as well predicated, but the big difference between me and you is that I'm honest and you're dishonest. I know I'm telling you lies.

What is a writer of fiction but a liar with a licence?

Fiction is the lie that tells the truth, after all.

Poets themselves, tho' liars by profession, always endeavour to give an air of truth to their fictions.

I've always believed the lies we use to make our fictions reveal the truth with far more honesty than any history or herstory or life story.

Being a writer of fiction isn't like being a compulsive liar, honestly.

Books do pretend ...but squeezed in between is even more that is true—without what you may call the lies, the pages would be too light for the truth, you see?

Just so you know, when they say "Once upon a time” . . . they’re lying

fiction is the great lie that tells the truth

All stories are true,” Skarpi said. “But this one really happened, if that’s what you mean.” He took another slow drink, then smiled again, his bright eyes dancing. “More or less. You have to be a bit of a liar to tell a story the right way. Too much truth confuses the facts. Too much honesty makes you sound insincere.

Some of these things are true and some of them lies. But they are all good stories.

A kid who has just started to lie is taking the first step as a storyteller.

Falsehood is a critical element in fiction. Part of the thrill of being told a story is the chance of being hoodwinked. . .The telling of lies is a sort of sleight of hand that displays our deepest feelings about life.

No. I cannot expect you to believe it. Take it as a lie--or a prophecy. Say I dreamed it in the workshop. Consider I have been speculating upon the destinies of our race until I have hatched this fiction. Treat my assertion of its truth as a mere stroke of art to enhance its interest. And taking it as a story, what do you think of it?

Lies are just stories, and stories are all that matter. We all tell stories. Some are more truthful than others, maybe, but in the end the only thing that counts is what you can make people believe.

In the end, fiction is the craft of telling truth through lies.

One can be absolutely truthful and sincere even though admittedly the most outrageous liar. Fiction and invention are of the very fabric of life.

It is Homer who has chiefly taught other poets the art of telling lies skillfully.

Lost Illusion is the undisclosed title of every novel.